On-Demand
Argument Writing
Getting ready to rock the test…
1. Understand why we learn/use writing strategies
2. Review all the parts of an argument essay
3. Learn the criteria of the SAGE argument writing
assessment
4. Practice using writing strategies that can be
easily recalled and use during the SAGE
argument essay test.
Objectives
• Quickly list all of the parts of an argumentative essay you
can think of on a separate piece of paper.
• Keep this paper. You will use it later and you will turn it
in.
Warm-up
A little EVIDENCE to support my CLAIMS…
Your teachers want to be sure that the things we have you do in school
really help you learn. So we often look at research to help us make
decisions about what to teach and how to teach.
Writing Next is a research report from the Carnegie Corporation that
identifies a number of elements of writing instruction found to be
effective for helping adolescent students learn to write well. We will
briefly look a couple of theme here.
The report provides the effect size of each element.
• .20 and above is mild effect (but still effective)
• .50 and above is moderate effect
• .80 and above is strong effect
You will be using these highly effective writing strategies in this unit.
• Specific Product Goals: learn about the goals and criteria of each type
of writing. (.70)
• Summarization: learn how to summarize texts of various genres and
structures. (.82)
• Writing Strategies: learn strategies for planning, revising, and editing
writing. (.82)
• Prewriting: learn ways to generate or organize ideas for writing. (.32)
• Read the “Argumentative Essay Checklist” (after pg 5).
• Underline anything that you have questions about or don’t
know what it means.
• Compare your list of the parts of an argument and put a
check next to the tings on the checklist that were also on
your list.
“Argumentative Essay Checklist”
Product Guide/ SAGE Rubric
• On the Shape Essay note sheet you will take notes to review
all the parts of an argument essay.
• Use the shape slides for your notes.
Review Parts of an Argument Essay
With the Shape Essay Strategy
Look at the “Hooks”
handout and jot a few
of the strategies down
on your note sheet
next to the Intro
triangle.
My
Claim
INTRODUCTION
Background on the Topic/They Say Synthesis and Summary
THEY SAY…I SAY #1
THEY SAY
Transition +
I SAY (Rebuttal/Counter Claim)
1. Summarize and/or quote a source
a. Summarize the argument
• Use precise verbs
• Be accurate and fair
• Temporarily suspend
your perspective
b. Quote the source
• Properly introduce the
quote
• Explain the importance
of the quote
• Must be a combination
of author’s words and
yours
2. Yes, No, or Both
a. Distinguish what I say
b. Your counter argument
• Address specific people
• Rhetorical questions
• Be fair and balanced
c. Use evidence to support
d. Say why it matters
• Address changes in
thinking of those
involved
• Link your argument to
larger matters of
importance
THEY SAY…I SAY #2
THEY SAY
1. Summarize and/or quote a source
a. Summarize the argument
• Use precise verbs
• Be accurate and fair
• Temporarily suspend
your perspective
b. Quote the source
• Properly introduce the
quote
• Explain the importance
of the quote
• Must be a combination
of author’s words and
yours
Transition +
I SAY
2. Yes, No, or Both
a. Distinguish what I say
b. Counter arguments
• Address specific people
• Rhetorical questions
• Be fair and balanced
b. Say why it matters
• Address changes in
thinking of those
involved
• Link your argument to
larger matters of
importance
THEY SAY…I SAY #3
THEY SAY
1. Summarize and/or quote a source
a. Summarize the argument
• Use precise verbs
• Be accurate and fair
• Temporarily suspend
your perspective
b. Quote the source
• Properly introduce the
quote
• Explain the importance
of the quote
• Must be a combination
of author’s words and
yours
Transition +
I SAY
2. Yes, No, or Both
a. Distinguish what I say
b. Counter arguments
• Address specific people
• Rhetorical questions
• Be fair and balanced
b. Say why it matters
• Address changes in
thinking of those
involved
• Link your argument to
larger matters of
importance
CONCLUSION
1. They Say: Summarize the strongest
evidence supporting your claim
2. Conclusion Transition + I Say: Your
primary claim
3. Transition + a hook for a lasting
thought
1. Fold your tan paper into 4 squares
2. Label each quadrant with the titles below
3. Remember these categories as PTA+B:
Prompt
Task
Audience
Background
On Demand Writing Strategies
Step 1: Deconstruct the Prompt
1. Now read the “Prompt for Argument Writing” (after pg 7)
and fill the appropriate information into each quadrant.
Prompt (questions)
Task (requirements)
Audience
(Do you write to someone specific?
Who is involved?)
Background
(facts, the situation)
Step 1: Deconstruct the Prompt
Check your work against this class example.
Prompt
Should my school participate in the
national “Shut Down Your Screen
Week?”
Audience
-Teachers
-Other involved parties: parents and
school board
Task
Write an essay in the form of a letter
explaining my thinking. Use evidence
from the text to support my thinking.
Background
-Teachers and parents proposed
“Shut Down Your Screen Week” to the
school board.
-They think it would be good for
students
-Teachers want to hear what students
think
Step 1: Deconstruct the Prompt
1. At the top of the paper write the title and the Prompt Question
2. Fold your tan paper into 4 squares
3. Label each quadrant with the titles below
Title:
Prompt Question:
Questions and Connections
(During 1st Reading)
Main Idea/Author’s Claim
(After 1st Reading)
Details/Evidence
(During 2nd Reading)
Gist Summary
(After 2nd Reading)
On Demand Writing Strategies
Step 2: Read and Take Notes
NOW READ Social Media as Community (after pg 9).
1.Write your questions and connections in the 1st box as you read.
2.After your 1st read write the author’s claim
Title: Social Media as Community
Prompt Question: Should my school do “Shut Down Your Screen Week?”
Questions and Connections
(During 1st Reading)
Main Idea/Author’s Claim
(After 1st Reading)
Details/Evidence
(During 2nd Reading)
Gist Summary
(After 2nd Reading)
Step 2: Read and Take Notes
SECOND READ
1.What evidence does the author use to support his claim?
a. Think statistics, studies, examples, expert quotes
2. Last, write a full summary of the article
Title: Social Media as Community
Prompt Question: Should my school do “Shut Down Your Screen Week?”
Questions and Connections
(During 1st Reading)
Main Idea/Author’s Claim
(After 1st Reading)
Details/Evidence
(During 2nd Reading)
Gist Summary
(After 2nd Reading)
Step 2: Read and Take Notes
Check your 4 square organizer against this class example.
1.What questions did you have?
2.What connections did you make?
Title: Social Media as Community
Prompt Question: Should my school do “Shut Down Your Screen Week?”
Questions and Connections
-What is a confidant?
-What are they including as “social
media?”
-Why do Americans have fewer
intimate relationships?
-Really? A loss of close friends isn’t
a loss of support?
-I wouldn’t just call someone for help
if they aren’t a close friend
-What is pervasive?
Main Idea/Author’s Claim
The author claims that social media
does not cause isolation, loss of
intimacy, and social support.
Step 2: Read and Take Notes
Check your 4 square organizer against this class example.
1.What evidence does the author use to support his claim?
2.Think statistics, studies, examples, expert quotes
Title: Social Media as Community
Prompt Question: Should my school do “Shut Down Your Screen Week?”
Evidence / Details
-Survey of 2,500 Americans found
that people who use social media
have more close friends
-Pew Research study found that
people who use social networking
sites are half as likely to be socially
isolated.
-Social media users know people
from many backgrounds
-Many users also spend a lot of time
socializing out side of the house.
-Americans have fewer intimate
relationships today.
-People are more accessible
because of technology
Gist Summary
In the article Social Media as
Community, the communication
professor Keith Hamption claims that
social media actually builds community
rather than limiting it. Hamption
supports his claim with a number of
studies which demonstrate that users
of social media are more social than
many of those who don’t.
Step 2: Read and Take Notes
1. Complete the same process with the article Is Google Making us
Stupid?
Title:
Prompt Question:
Questions and Connections
(During 1st Reading)
Main Idea/Author’s Claim
(After 1st Reading)
Details/Evidence
(During 2nd Reading)
Gist Summary
(After 2nd Reading)
On Demand Writing Strategies
Step 2: Read and Take Notes
1. Complete the same process with the article Attached to
Technology and Paying a Price.
Title:
Prompt Question:
Questions and Connections
(During 1st Reading)
Main Idea/Author’s Claim
(After 1st Reading)
Details/Evidence
(During 2nd Reading)
Gist Summary
(After 2nd Reading)
On Demand Writing Strategies
Step 2: Read and Take Notes
1. Fold your tan paper into 4 squares
2. Label each quadrant with the information below
3. What’s your side? (Claim)
Introduction
They Say/I Say #1:
Hook:
Summary/Quote of what they say:
Background on the Topic:
I say:
Transition
Standard View/Ongoing Debate:
Why it matters:
They Say/I Say #2:
They Say/I Say #3:
Summary/Quote of what they say:
Summary/Quote of what they say:
I say:
I say:
Why it matters:
Transition
Why it matters:
Step 3: Prewriting
Transition
They Say/I Say #4:
They Say/I Say #5:
Summary/Quote of what they say:
Summary/Quote of what they say:
I say:
I say:
Transition
Transition
Why it matters:
Why it matters:
They Say/I Say #6:
Conclusion:
Summary/Quote of what they say:
They Say: Summarize the strongest
evidence supporting your claim
I say:
Conclusion
Transition
Transition
Why it matters:
Conclusion
Transition
+a
Transition
Step 3: Prewriting
+ I Say:
Your primary claim
hook for a lasting
thought